TODAY'S WORD
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore
He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive!" (Lk 20: 38)
REFLECTION
The Gospel of the Day is an invitation to reinforce our faith and hope in the Resurrection. This is the Christian Faith: that beyond the Door of this Life, is the Master! This is the hope of Resurrection!
The Sadducees who did not believe in the Resurrection, put forth a question of "after-life" to Jesus. (Lk 20: 27-33)
But the Lord very clearly shows, through today's Gospel…that God is the God of all - the living and the dead....that all are living for Him - even though for us, apparently those who are gone from us, are dead
It is our human experience, that while living on this earth.We do seek the help of one another - especially through prayers.We ask one another's help and prayers.
when we are going through a crisis or problem
when we are struggling through sufferings
Then can't the same logic be applied to those who have died (who are actually alive in the eyes of God!)
Can't those who are away from this world - the faithful departed - seek for our help and assistance, in their moments of suffering and struggles?
For those of us… who may have doubts as to "what kind of suffering do the dead have…"
The Church teaches us …
Nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 21:27)
November is a month especially dedicated to pray for the Faithful Departed.
The Church invites her children in this world…
To remember and pray
To offer sacrifices and penances
To lead a life away from sin, in holiness, for the faithful departed!
Yes, it is our faith and hope in the Resurrection that spurs us…
to live a life of holiness
to be zealous in reaching out the message of salvation to all
to be fervent in our prayers for the suffering who have passed away from us
Let us cease to be a "practical Sadducee" professing belief in the Resurrection only in lips but failing to display this belief by a life of holiness!
It is true that we don't have much awareness of how the "next life" would be…
We do fall short of words to explain the nature of the life-to-come or rationally describing "how heaven would be!"
We may even have our own fears and anxieties in thinking of death or in the parting moments of our loved ones!
But we do know for certain one thing: that we would be one with our Lord- the lover of our soul…
The fullness of joy
The supremacy of holiness
Yes, we don't have much idea of what lies beyond the Door, but we know that the Master is there!
Let us grow in our faith in the Resurrection…
and let us live a life of holiness and sanctity - that would boldly proclaim this belief to all!
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
-Do I believe in the Resurrection?
-Do I believe in after life?
-What is my stance about relationship in the next life?
-Am I ready to live a Holy and sanctified life, in order to make reparation for the faithful departed and for my own sanctification?
Feast of the Presentation of Blessed Mother Mary
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of our Blessed Mother Mary.
The Feast of the Presentation of our Blessed Mother is a reminder and a challenge to us to give greater attention to a life of holiness. It is also a constant reminder for us to "offer ourselves" to the Lord.
We can offer many things to the Lord. our talents for His glory our possessions for His service.
But the greater and the better sacrifice, that the Lord not just wishes, but also demands, is the Offering of our Lives.
an offering of a faithful life
an offering of a holy life
Yes, as little children, holding the Hands of our Blessed, may we cry to the Lord - "For You, Forever!"
*Happy Feast of the Presentation of our Blessed Mamma!*